Alias's 2024 Book Challenge

[Rachel]

Alias Reader wrote: "Rachel wrote:

"Thanks for the info. It is very thoughtful of you. I think I will do what you say and look at the youtube video comparisons. My problem is I am afraid if I don't make my steps I wi..."

Yes, I am an upholder as well. For me the issue is not starting a healthy habit. For me the problem is stopping even when I want to.

[Alias Reader]

Rachel wrote:

"Yes, I am an upholder as well. For me the issue is not starting a healthy habit. For me the problem is stopping even when I want to."

I hear you. Sometimes my "don't break the streak" can be burdensome. Though afterwards I am always glad I didn't break the streak.

[Rachel]

Good for you. Sometimes my exercise and eating habits get in the way of socializing.

[Alias Reader]

I wasn't sure which prompt I wanted to select for this book. I settled on:

✅ 23- Award winning book or nominated for award
The Bee Sting

The novel was short-listed for the Booker Prize.
"Each of the shortlisted authors receives £2,500 and a specially bound edition of their book. "

[Rachel]

I loved 95% of this book but did not like the ending. I will be interested to know what you think about it.

[madrano]

Alias Reader wrote: "I wasn't sure which prompt I wanted to select for this book. I settled on:

✅ 23- Award winning book or nominated for award
The Bee Sting

The novel was short-listed for the Booker..."

Nice choice, Alias. I'm glad this book works for you, particularly for that prompt.

[Alias Reader]

Rachel, I gave my thoughts of the novel in my review in the Book Salon Thread. I gave The Bee Sting 4/5. That is exceeded my expectations. If it wasn't for the writing style choices this would have been a 5/5 top read of 2024 for me.

I had major issues with the writing choices. Especially the 150 pages of no punctuation. Switching to 2nd person at the end of the book was annoying. Having no clear chapters or chapter titles also bothered me. I also wasn't thrilled with the ending. Though that last quarter of the book was quite the page turner.
(view spoiler)[ After 150 I wanted closure. It seemed like the author backed himself into a corner and didn't know how to get out of it. So he didn't bother to write an ending. (hide spoiler)]

[Rachel]

Alias Reader wrote: "Rachel, I gave my thoughts of the novel in my review in the Book Salon Thread. I gave The Bee Sting 4/5. That is exceeded my expectations. If it wasn't for the writing style choices this would have..."

I agree. The ending did not work at all. You are right in thinking the author wrote himself into a corner. I thought most of the book was brilliant.

[Alias Reader]

I checked off another prompt.

✅ 13- science F/NF
Chemistry for Breakfast: The Amazing Science of Everyday Life

I enjoyed the book and gave it a 3/5 rating (good)

My review is in the
Folder: Books
Thread: * The Book Salon ~~ January 2024

[madrano]

Congrats, Alias.

As i mentioned when i read it, i learned enough for me but i found parts distracting from what i really expected.

[Rachel]

Alias Reader wrote: "I checked off another prompt.

✅ 13- science F/NF
Chemistry for Breakfast: The Amazing Science of Everyday Life

I enjoyed the book and gave it a 3/5 rating (good)

This seems like a good candidate to check of science in the challenge.

My review is i..."

[madrano]

Agreed!

[Alias Reader]

I finished another prompt.

✅16- Young adult book F/NF
Looking for Alaska

I reviewed the book in The Book Salon Thread.

I thoroughly enjoyed the novel and gave it 5/5 rating.

[John]

Congrats!

[Alias Reader]

Thanks, John. It's always great when you can fill a prompt with a top rated book.

[Rachel]

Alias Reader wrote: "I finished another prompt.

✅16- Young adult book F/NF
Looking for Alaska

I reviewed the book in The Book Salon Thread.

I thoroughly enjoyed the novel and gave it 5/5 rating."

Congrats on completing a prompt. It is kind of funny when reading the reviews people either loved or hated the book. There was no middle ground,

[madrano]

Alias Reader wrote: "I finished another prompt.

✅16- Young adult book F/NF
Looking for Alaska

I reviewed the book in The Book Salon Thread.

I thoroughly enjoyed the novel and gave it 5/5 rating."

Nice selection, Alias. It was my first Green novel, and a good one, at that.

[Alias Reader]

I finished another prompt !

✅ 11- Political, social science or governments F/NF
Strongmen: Mussolini to the Present

I reviewed the book the our Book Salon Thread.

I gave it a 3 minus/ 5 rating.

[madrano]

Well done, Alias Reader. You are moving right along in completing prompts.

[Alias Reader]

Thanks, deb.

I see that Day I can fit it into a number of prompts. I'll have to see which one I select. I'm only doing one prompt per book.

[Rachel]

Alias, you use only one prompt per book? I thought we could mark off multiple categories. Please let me know. Thanks.

[Lindsey]

Nice job Alias!

I'm doing the same thing - several of mine fit multiple prompts, but I'm not sure what will come next. So some books are in limbo or might move around later :)

[madrano]

Rachel wrote: "Alias, you use only one prompt per book? I thought we could mark off multiple categories. Please let me know. Thanks."

Rachel, i believe both ways are fine. I recall that last year i initially posted about books under many prompts, then substituted other read books later for some of those prompts, as i completed them. For me, it gave me some reading "space", so to speak.

[Alias Reader]

Rachel wrote: "Alias, you use only one prompt per book? I thought we could mark off multiple categories. Please let me know. Thanks."

It's totally up to you, Rachel. Some of us are doing one prompt for a book. That is what I'm doing since we cut the prompts down from 100 that we did last year.

However, you do whatever works best for you.

[Alias Reader]

Lindsey wrote: "Nice job Alias!

I'm doing the same thing - several of mine fit multiple prompts, but I'm not sure what will come next. So some books are in limbo or might move around later :)"

Yes. As the year progresses I may move some of them around.

[Rachel]

Thanks for the info. You can see I like to compete with myself and hope to follow "the rules". I think I will make it up as I go along.

[Alias Reader]

Rachel wrote: "Thanks for the info. You can see I like to compete with myself and hope to follow "the rules". I think I will make it up as I go along."

:)

[Alias Reader]

Finished another prompt !

I'm not sure which prompt I want to use for Day by Michael Cunningham

I thought perhaps
12- romance, relationships or love. F/NF
but I think, for now, I am going to select

✅41- Author last name begins with B, N or C
Day by Michael Cunningham

[John]

Wow - not a book I could get through, so congrats to you on this one! Seems odd, but I've found B, N, C a bit tricky though they're common letters. The "romance" category isn't quite as difficult as it seems, including a romantic sub-plot, grieving, etc. as possibilities.

[Alias Reader]

Yes. That is what I thought, John. So I went with BNC.

[madrano]

Alias Reader wrote: "12- romance, relationships or love. F/NF
but I think, for now, I am going to select

✅41- Author last name begins with B, N or C
Day by Michael Cunningham
..."

That was quick reading, Alias. I intend to put it there, too, btw.

For me, the best part of this mediocre (at best) novel was reading it as a Book Buddy. I'm glad you joined us!

[Rachel]

So, Day is just sort of middling?

[Alias Reader]

Rachel wrote: "So, Day is just sort of middling?"

I liked it a lot more then Deb did.

[madrano]

I'll say! Although your appreciation & posts about the book (https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...) have helped me view the book in a better light. Thank you for that.

[Alias Reader]

Thank you, Deb. It was fun to really get my thoughts out there on a novel. In my personal life, no one is really a reader or if they do it's not the type of books I read. Honestly, BNC is my only outlet for me to discuss books. So a Big Thank You to everyone here. 💞

[madrano]

I'm with you, Alias. Throughout my life, no one else has been much of a reader. This is not to say that a friend, knowing i'm a reader, wouldn't talk to me about a book they just read. (I welcomed that, whether i was interested in the topic or not.)

This group (and the Internet that supports it) has been the best thing (besides the books themselves, of course) to happen to my reading. Since finding book groups in the late '90s, my reading interests grew, as did my previously unstated ideas about what i read. It's been true growth for me.

And i thank all who have contributed to that, both living and dead!

[Rachel]

What is the next buddy read? Have you picked a book yet?

[Alias Reader]

Rachel wrote: "What is the next buddy read? Have you picked a book yet?"

We don't have a regular schedule for Buddy Reads. If someone is looking for a Buddy to read a book with they just post and see if anyone wants to join.

[Rachel]

madrano wrote: "I'm with you, Alias. Throughout my life, no one else has been much of a reader. This is not to say that a friend, knowing i'm a reader, wouldn't talk to me about a book they just read. (I welcomed ..."

I agree with you. GR and book groups are wonderful. It is great to discuss books but also get to know other people who love to read.

[Alias Reader]

I checked off another prompt !

✅28- book that takes place in WWI, WWII, or other war F/NF
Prequel: An American Fight Against Fascism

I reviewed the book in the Book Salon Thread.
I gave the book 4/5 stars.

I initially put it under the History prompt but I've switched it to #28. History is a broader category and this one was more specific.

[madrano]

Alias Reader wrote: "I initially put it under the History prompt but I've switched it to #28. History is a broader category and this one was more specific...."

Good thinking!

[Rachel]

Is her writing style like her speaking style?

[Alias Reader]

Rachel wrote: "Is her writing style like her speaking style?"

I listened to her reading the book as I read along on my Kindle, so I would have to say yes. I would say it's a conversational style not dry academic.

[John]

Alias Reader wrote: "I checked off another prompt !

✅28- book that takes place in WWI, WWII, or other war F/NF
Prequel: An American Fight Against Fascism

I reviewed the book in the Book Salon Thread..."

Great job!

[Rachel]

I wish I enjoyed reading non fiction history more. I adore historical fiction. Maybe something by David McCullough as his books read like fiction. Any suggestions from other authors?

[Alias Reader]

Thanks, John !

[Alias Reader]

Rachel wrote: "I wish I enjoyed reading non fiction history more. I adore historical fiction. Maybe something by David McCullough as his books read like fiction. Any suggestions from other authors?"

Perhaps narrative non fiction would appeal to you. That is usually less dry and more engaging.

You can google: narrative non fiction book list for suggestions.

[madrano]

Rachel wrote: "I wish I enjoyed reading non fiction history more. I adore historical fiction. Maybe something by David McCullough as his books read like fiction. Any suggestions from other authors?"

First of all, i've known a number of smart people who get their history from historical fiction. I still like to read them when i want to know more about a topic but the NF offerings sound dry, boring &/or too long. For me, it's long been a jumping off place.

And i've known some readers who, like me, began with HF, then morphed into NF because they no longer wanted the story. And i've known more who like both.

Alias mentioned a method to locate narrative NF. This link is to ones listed here at GR. https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/7... There are plenty and a mixed bag they are. I see a number which feature specific eras and people, such as Marie Antoinette (Queen of Fashion: What Marie Antoinette Wore to the Revolution--Caroline Weber) or Queen Isabella (Queen Isabella: Treachery, Adultery, and Murder in Medieval England--Alison Weir).

It occurs to me that finding an author whose style you like (that hooked you, so to speak) would be an excellent route to take. I've not heard bad things about Weir or McCullough, as you mentioned.

If you have a specific history in mind, let us say presidents, you might like trying one of those conglomerate NFs, as i call them. An example would be Candice Millard, whose The River Of Doubt is about Theodore Roosevelt while her Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Murder of a President is about the Garfield assassination. Within these, a good author will tell you a bit about the subject's election &/or presidential days, as well as the larger story.

If you want something specific, such as weather history or one on the American west, and on, they are available. How to locate them is a challenge. Sometimes i try Amazon's pages, using my topic, then seeing titles available.

Or you could try here, list your subject and we will not be hesitant to share titles. Other than reading itself, i think it's what we do very well! Good luck.

deb
PS. Initially you may want to limit the length of the book, easing your way in.

[Rachel]

Deb,

Thanks for the wonderful suggestions. I really appreciate them. I am going to check with my library to see if they have any that you h ave suggested. :)

[madrano]

I just hope they fit the bill for the taste of history via good writing, Rachel.